The scientific studies that are submitted in the Plant Protection Product application file need to inform us sufficiently about the effects (efficacy and harmfulness) of the product in question. These studies are conducted by accredited laboratories are commissioned (and therefore financed) by the companies that want to market the products. All over the world, and for all types of product, a system has been adopted whereby the manufacturer itself carries out the necessary studies, since it would be unfeasible for the competent authorities to do it. Not only does this require a very good knowledge and understanding of the needs of the sector in order to determine priorities, but the resulting workload for the administration would also be unjustifiable. The manufacturer is in the best position to judge which studies are necessary to obtain authorisation, in addition to exploratory studies that provide sufficient guarantees as to the action and usefulness of the product and market demand.

A fee is charged to the applicant for the evaluation of the studies and the processing of the application, as well as a fee for the quantities sold each year. Since it is ultimately the manufacturer who makes the profits, there would be no justification for charging the taxpayer for the evaluation costs. It is therefore the candidate companies that finance the work of the administration in evaluating the studies. The more studies are filed, the greater the workload for the administration and the higher the amount to be paid with the application. An additional amount must be paid annually depending on the volume sold and the harmfulness of the product.

The amounts collected (retribution and annual amount) are paid into a segregated fund that we manage, to avoid any direct link between the applicants and the assessing authority while allowing us to use the proceeds for our own purposes. The Council of the Budget Fund for Raw Materials and Products is composed of representatives of the relevant administrations and the sectors contributing to the Fund. They decide jointly what the products are intended for, under a system of joint management, joint responsibility and joint financing as set out by the legislator.